INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – The 2018 Schoolboy Duals Greco-Roman competition are all wrapped up, and California Gold placed
seventh in the country. Put on “pool A” with national powers Illinois, Utah, Florida, and other five additional teams, California Gold was triumphant in placing second in pool play by defeating Team Tennessee in the quarterfinal (83-4) by winning 17 of the contested 18 matches.

In the finals, California Gold took on Team Illinois, the eventual tournament champions. The dual-meet wasn’t precisely what the coaches were hoping for as Illinois won easily (57-21) and were winners in 15 of the 18 contested matches. Eric Almarniez (110), Ethan Birch (130), and Damian Alvarez (77) were the lone winners for California Gold.

After competing in pool play. California Gold were placed in the Gold/Silver pool with the opportunity of winning the event.

Nevertheless, California Gold loss three consecutive dual-meets versus Team Pennsylvania (44-25), Team Washington (48-29), and Team Michigan (43-43), and the best they could do was to take seventh in the tournament.

In the seventh-place match, California Gold defeated Team Nebraska (42-38) thanks to pins by Stefan Bakiev (165), Brock Bobzien (114), and Ammar Khan (119). California wrestlers that remained undefeated throughout the competition were Eric Almarniez (110) and Oscar Alfaro (130).

Damian Alvarez (77), Brock Bobzien (114), Ammar Khan (125), and Ethan Birch (130), were defeated just once in the tournament.

The Freestyle portion of the tournament is scheduled to take place tomorrow morning.